The Uprising of a Great People by Gasparin

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THE UPRISING OF A GREAT PEOPLE. THE UNITED STATES IN 1861.

TO WHICH IS ADDED A WORD OF PEACE ON THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND THE UNITED STATES.

FROM THE FRENCH OF COUNT AGENOR DE GASPARIN

BY MARY L. BOOTH.

NEW AMERICAN EDITION FROM THE AUTHOR'S REVISED EDITION. 1862.

* * * * *

TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE TO THE REVISED AMERICAN EDITION.

The edition of the _Uprising of a Great People_ which we issue herewith, has been carefully revised to conform to the new edition of the original work, just published at Paris. The author has corrected several errors of fact, which were noted by American reviewers on the appearance of the translation, and has also made sundry changes in the work, designed to bring it down to the present time, and to adapt its counsels to the new light that is breaking in upon us in the progress of events. These changes, however, have been few, and relate chiefly to the policy of emancipation, for so truly has this remarkable book proved a prophecy, that the author, on reviewing it after a lapse of several eventful months, can find nothing to strike out as having proved untrue. We are indebted to the kindness of Count de Gasparin for one or two corrections of trifling biographical misstatements in the translator's preface.

The pamphlet concerning the Trent affair, and the surrender of Messrs. Mason and Slidell, which we append to this edition, will be read with interest at the present crisis, as an able exposition of the views of European statesmen on the international difficulty which has sprung so unexpectedly upon us. While it justifies the surrender on the ground of technical error, it utters a solemn warning in the name of Europe, that, if the demand were a mere pretext to force us into a ruinous war, such a proceeding will not again be tolerated. This pamphlet, entitled _Une Parole de Paix_, is the article which appeared in the _Journal des Debats_, December 11, 12, and 13, since published as a _brochure_, with some additions.

This new edition is especially valuable, inasmuch as it seals the faith of our noble friend and sympathizer. "A few months ago," says Count de Gasparin, in his preface, "I believed in the uprising of a great people; now I am sure of it." Let not the issue shame us by disappointing his trust!

MARY L. BOOTH.

NEW YORK, _February_, 1862.

* * * * *

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

I have nothing to change in these pages. When I wrote them before the breaking out of the American crisis, I foreboded, which was not difficult, that the crisis would be long and grievous, that there would be mistakes and reverses; but I foreboded, also, that through these mistakes and reverses, an immense progress was about to come to light. Some have undertaken to doubt it: at the sight of civil war, and the evils which it necessarily entails, at the recital of one or two defeats, they have hastened to raise their hands to Heaven, and to proclaim in every key the ruin of the United States.

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